Governing After the Election: Interactive Presidency & Government Simulation

Simulation Introduction: Governing After the Election

Winning an election is only the beginning. Once the campaign ends, governing begins—and power becomes far more complicated than slogans or promises suggest. In this simulation, you will step into the roles of the president, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, state leaders, and media figures to confront the real challenges of governing the United States.

You will face modern domestic and international crises, make decisions with incomplete information, and operate under constitutional limits, political pressure, and public scrutiny. There are no perfect choices. Every decision involves trade-offs, risks, and consequences. Your goal is not to “win,” but to govern realistically—balancing authority, restraint, and responsibility in a divided political system.

Simulation Directions

1. Role Assignment
   Each student will be assigned a specific role (president, congressional leader, justice, governor, media, etc.). You are expected to act consistently with your role’s powers, incentives, and political concerns.

2. Briefings & Scenarios
   For each round, the class will receive a briefing outlining a real-world issue or crisis. Listen carefully—context matters, and details will affect your options and outcomes.

3. Decision-Making
   Designated decision-makers (such as the president or congressional leaders) will choose a course of action. Other roles may debate, advise, support, resist, or challenge those decisions based on their authority.

4. Fate Rolls & Outcomes
   After major decisions, a visible fate roll will be used to determine durability and consequences. Modifiers may apply based on political, legal, or crisis conditions. Outcomes are not about popularity—they reflect how well decisions hold up under real-world pressures.

5. Documentation & Reflection
   Students will complete brief decision memos or reflections explaining their reasoning, the limits they encountered, and how the Constitution shaped the outcome.

6. Stay in Character
   This is a role-play simulation. Speak, argue, and decide as your role would—even if it conflicts with your personal views.

Core Rule

You may attempt any action—but the Constitution, other branches of government, public opinion, and political reality will decide whether it succeeds.